Matthew Baker Was Called By Australia U-17, Nova Arianto Admitted He Was Surprised

Matthew Baker is included in the projected Indonesia U-17 in the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification (Instagram/@mat_baker09).

JAKARTA - The U-17 Indonesian national team coach, Nova Arianto, revealed his reaction when he first learned that one of the players who entered his scheme, Matthew Baker, had been called the U-17 Australian national team.

Previously, Indonesian football lovers were surprised by the announcement made by the Australian Football Federation. They put Matthew Baker's name on the list of players called Australian U-17 national team coach Brad Maloney.

During the summons, Matthew Baker was on the list of 23 Australian U-17 players who will undergo the PacificAus Sports Football Tour match against the Solomon U-19 Islands and Vanuatu U-19 in mid-July 2024.

In fact, this 15-year-old player also took part in the U-16 Indonesian national team when he appeared in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup and was ranked third. On the other hand, Matthew was also included in Nova Arianto's projection in the training camp ahead of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification match in October 2024.

Suddenly, the news also raises questions about how Nova arianto reacted as the head coach of Indonesia U-17. He admitted that he was surprised.

"Yes, of course I was surprised because at the beginning I prepared (Matthew) Baker to be my key player to appear in the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup."

"Suddenly there was a notification that said Baker was summoned by Australia U-17," said Nova Arianto at Senayan Field, Jakarta, on Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Although he had shocked Indonesian football lovers, three days later Brad re-released his player, whose name is Matthew Baker, missing.

The player, who has Indonesian-Australian blood, was later replaced by North Coast Football player, Logan Sambrook.

Realizing the news, Nova is grateful. That way it means Matthew prefers to move closer to the U-17 Indonesian national team to prepare for the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification.

On the same occasion, Nova was also asked about Matthew's summons by Australia U-17. This is proof that Matthew has the qualities to take into account.

However, as if he was reluctant to be happy, Nova joked about asking Brad directly.

"It's possible (because of the quality). Just try asking the Australian U-17 coach," he said with a laugh.

In the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification, Indonesia is in Group G with Kuwait as the host, Australia, and the North Mariana Islands. The match will be played on 23-27 October 2024.

This qualifying round was attended by 43 participants who were divided into 10 groups. Later, the winners of each group and the five best runners-up will advance to the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup finals with the host Saudi Arabia on April 3-20, 2025.